I took these photos in my mother’s garden in Hawaii the day before she passed. Later in her life, she loved her yard the way I love my kitchen, so this is the perfect tribute to her.

I am taking a brief pause this week as I take some time to be with family and travel back home to Alaska.

This experience of caregiving and loss has challenged me in every possible way, but I now know with even more certainty and clarity what is most important in life.

Thank you for your encouragement along the way; I still welcome your comments and emails. I look forward to going back to my life and to being back in my kitchen and back ‘Alaska-from-Scratching’ very soon. Thank you for your support and patience.

Maya